Free Food Galore in Philly as SNAP Benefits Freeze Amid Government Shutdown
As Pennsylvania residents face the specter of losing vital food assistance, several local restaurants and grocery stores are stepping up to provide free meals and groceries to those affected by the impending shutdown. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will freeze on Saturday, leaving nearly 2 million residents at risk of going hungry.
But before the system freezes, Philly's culinary community is banding together to offer relief. From Mexican restaurants like Juana Tamale, which is serving up free meals of tacos and quesadillas for kids, to breweries like Töska, offering complimentary cheese pizzas to customers who show their EBT cards, there are plenty of options available.
Meanwhile, grocery stores like Center City Pretzel Co., Riverwards Produce, and Rowhouse Grocery are giving away soft pretzels, fruits, and veggies, respectively. The latter two are also organizing food giveaways, with Rowhouse Grocery offering a "community card" that provides discounts to those affected by the shutdown.
In addition to these local efforts, Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a bill to use "rainy day funds" to support local food banks and Meals on Wheels. Governor Josh Shapiro has also declared a disaster, which will expedite $5 million to Feeding Pennsylvania.
As the government standoff continues, residents can take heart knowing that there are still those willing to help. By supporting these initiatives, neighbors can make a real difference in their community's response to this crisis.
As Pennsylvania residents face the specter of losing vital food assistance, several local restaurants and grocery stores are stepping up to provide free meals and groceries to those affected by the impending shutdown. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will freeze on Saturday, leaving nearly 2 million residents at risk of going hungry.
But before the system freezes, Philly's culinary community is banding together to offer relief. From Mexican restaurants like Juana Tamale, which is serving up free meals of tacos and quesadillas for kids, to breweries like Töska, offering complimentary cheese pizzas to customers who show their EBT cards, there are plenty of options available.
Meanwhile, grocery stores like Center City Pretzel Co., Riverwards Produce, and Rowhouse Grocery are giving away soft pretzels, fruits, and veggies, respectively. The latter two are also organizing food giveaways, with Rowhouse Grocery offering a "community card" that provides discounts to those affected by the shutdown.
In addition to these local efforts, Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a bill to use "rainy day funds" to support local food banks and Meals on Wheels. Governor Josh Shapiro has also declared a disaster, which will expedite $5 million to Feeding Pennsylvania.
As the government standoff continues, residents can take heart knowing that there are still those willing to help. By supporting these initiatives, neighbors can make a real difference in their community's response to this crisis.
they're literally giving away free food like it's nobody's business 
i mean i get that the gov shutdown is a big deal and all but like who cares about the ppl sufferin from hunger? 
anyway, i'm low-key impressed by these local restaurants & breweries stepin up to help out their community 
juana tamale is servin up free tacos for kids what kind of magic is that?! 
. But at least Philly is coming together - it's actually kinda beautiful to see restaurants and grocery stores stepping up for their own community 
And if the government can't even be bothered to pay SNAP benefits, we'll just have to rely on good Samaritans like these businesses to get us through 
.
. And yay for the lawmakers who want to use some of that "rainy day fund" to help out our food banks! 
️ It's not gonna make up for everything, but it's a start. Let's keep supporting each other during this tough time 
i hope lawmakers can get their act together & help out w/ the "rainy day funds" 2 support local food banks & meals on wheels 
So theres this gov shutdown and ppl r gonna lose food assistance? But then philly comes together like a big ol' hug 
. And theres even a community card thingy at rowhouse grocery that'll give ppl discounts 
. Its like, dont worry philly ur got this! 
. So basically we just gotta support these initiatives and know our neighbors r lookin out for us 
and ps u can bet ill be sharing all these awesome initiatives on my stories 
I mean, it's crazy to think about how a government shutdown would affect people like that... 
It's not just about the money, it's about access to basic necessities. And I love that Philly's restaurants and grocery stores are stepping up to help. Free meals and snacks for kids? Cheese pizzas at breweries? That's some awesome community spirit right there! 
I mean, shouldn't we be able to rely on our systems to support us in times of need? 
Anyway, let's just hope these local efforts help and that people don't have to suffer because of this mess. 
anyway its heartwarming 2 see people coming together but I wish we had more of these initiatives in other states too, it feels like a Band-Aid solution for a bigger problem...
️ And grocery stores too, givin' away soft pretzels and fruits... it's a small thing but can make a big difference. 
I'm hopin' the lawmakers do somethin' good w/ those rainy day funds... we need more help like this. 
and the fact that pennsylvania lawmakers are considering a bill to support local food banks is like, totally music to my ears 
its clear that there's still so much good in this world, and we should keep spreading love and kindness wherever we go 
.
It just makes me hope that the government would've been more prepared for this kind of thing. The fact that they're now considering using "rainy day funds" to support food banks and Meals on Wheels is a good start 
... but we need more than just short-term fixes. We need real, long-lasting solutions 
I mean what other city just steps up and says we gotchu when the gov is being super shady? These restaurants and grocery stores are literally giving away FREE food left and right, and its not even like they have to - its just because they care! 
. I'm so inspired by this community spirit! We should do more of that everywhere, right?
these local efforts are lifesavers rn
how r ppl sposed 2 afford food?? 
local restaurants, breweries & grocery stores r hookin up w/ free meals & groceries 4 those in need. Juana Tamale's doin tacos 4 kids & Töska's got cheese pizzas 4 ppl w/ EBT cards... talk bout community spirit!